FNCS Invitational in Raleigh
NORTH CAROLINA IS BECOMING AN
ESPORTS MECCA North Carolina continues to strive for esports greatness as the industry continues its ascent to become a mainstream giant • By Christopher D. Silbernagel
N
orth Carolina’s dedication to being at the top of the esports world is highlighted by the number of options available to the community and beyond, with development and connectivity available from grade school through to the professional level. Collegiate esports also thrive at multiple locations, with more continuing to emerge, bringing high-quality clubs and programs to students while also educating them on the potential career paths available when embarking on their unique journey.
316
Sports Planning Guide
THE NC ESPORTS SPECTRUM
Multiple destinations across the state have become hotbeds for esports. Along with hosting a number of world-class tournaments over the past few years, such as the Rainbow Six Siege Raleigh Major at the Raleigh Convention Center, the City of Raleigh continually strives to be the best at not only hosting duties, but also in providing variety and its all-round reach within and outside of North Carolina. “[Annually], we strive to host
two or three major national or international events, two to four regional events and four to eight local events and programs,” said Loren Gold, executive vice president of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’ve started to invest in becoming an esports educational hub for both the game publisher and production industry, and an advocate for destinations.” One of the top contributors to driving esports forward is Carolina Esports, which is directly linked to the Charlotte Phoenix @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG